Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company v. Marvin J. Wilson

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REL: 12/14/2012 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o f o r m a l r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , A l a b a m a A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ((334) 2 2 9 - 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may be made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS OCTOBER TERM, 2012-2013 2110645 Goodyear T i r e & Rubber Company v. Marvin J . Wilson Appeal from Etowah C i r c u i t Court (CV-87-820) THOMPSON, P r e s i d i n g J u d g e . G o o d y e a r T i r e & R u b b e r Company ("Goodyear") a p p e a l s a judgment r e q u i r i n g being pain. provided i t to continue t o Marvin J . Wilson I n t h e judgment, t h e t r i a l t o pay f o r medical to treat c o u r t found from care h i s lower-back that Wilson's 2110645 back p a i n i s caused, a t l e a s t i n p a r t , by a lumbar back s t r a i n W i l s o n s u f f e r e d i n 1986, w h i l e The for he was e m p l o y e d b y G o o d y e a r . record i n d i c a t e s the f o l l o w i n g . G o o d y e a r i n 1965. to h i s back w h i l e I n O c t o b e r 1986, he s u f f e r e d an i n j u r y a t work. I n 1987, W i l s o n f i l e d a c l a i m f o r w o r k e r s ' compensation b e n e f i t s . settled. for As p a r t W i l s o n began w o r k i n g That of the settlement, claim was eventually Goodyear agreed t o pay future medical treatment of the work-related injury. When W i l s o n s u s t a i n e d h i s b a c k i n j u r y , G o o d y e a r s e n t h i m to Dr. C a r v i l l e Woodall, who Thomas, a r h e u m a t o l o g i s t , was Wilson's authorized r e f e r r e d him t o Dr. i n December 1987. physician, testified Cornelius D r . Thomas, who by deposition t h a t he h a s b e e n t r e a t i n g W i l s o n f o r h i s b a c k p a i n to time since office, he 1987. was On W i l s o n ' s f i r s t v i s i t diagnosed with a lumbar p r i m a r i l y a muscular i s s u e , according time, Wilson also had m i l d presence of the degenerative disease of people Wilson's Thomas p r e s c r i b e d age, w h i c h , muscle 2 strain, and a s m a l l which was At that amount o f D r . Thomas s a i d t h a t t h e was n o t e d i n a b o u t h a l f a t the time, relaxers t o D r . Thomas's t o D r . Thomas. arthritis d e g e n e r a t i v e lumbar s p i n a l d i s e a s e . from time and p a i n was 48. Dr. medication f o r 2110645 Wilson and recommended a walking program c o n t i n u e d t o see D r . Thomas f o r t r e a t m e n t . Wilson Dr. f o r him. reported to Thomas that he Wilson I n January had begun 1988, walking r e g u l a r l y and t h a t h i s b a c k symptoms were i m p r o v i n g . By M a r c h 1988, work at r e s t r i c t e d t o l i f t i n g no more t h a n 50 Dr. Thomas had allowed G o o d y e a r , b u t W i l s o n was pounds. The weight Wilson restriction was to return to raised t o 75 pounds i n 1990. In J u l y 1988, cause s t r e s s W i l s o n t o l d D r . Thomas t h a t h i s j o b d i d n o t t o h i s b a c k ; however, W i l s o n t o l d Dr. Thompson t h a t h i s b a c k h u r t h i m a f t e r he had s p e n t a l o n g t i m e tomatoes. in the Fort D u r i n g t h e f i r s t G u l f War N a t i o n a l G u a r d , was Hood, Texas. Thomas t e s t i f i e d , Dr. On he called Wilson's continued Thomas's o f f i c e n o t e s i n 1991, to duty W i l s o n , who and r e t u r n from to see as i n May Hood, a were not i n f l a m m a t i o n was joints. 1994, Dr. he related primarily to lumbar i n Wilson's Thomas t e s t i f i e d diagnosed the Wilson that, 1993, he with 3 strain. a n k l e , t o e , and in late 1993 seronegative Dr. patient. W i l s o n f o r " i n f l a m m a t o r y c h a n g e s , " b u t , D r . Thomas s a i d , changes was stationed in Fort Wilson indicate that, picking and saw those The knee early rheumatoid 2110645 a r t h r i t i s , which i s rheumatoid a r t h r i t i s but which r e s u l t s i n a negative blood t e s t f o r the disorder. people Dr. s u f f e r i n g from rheumatoid A b o u t one q u a r t e r o f arthritis are seronegative, Thomas s a i d . In that 1994, W i l s o n r e t i r e d f r o m G o o d y e a r . being joints. In arthritis, and the addition p h y s i c a l l y was Wilson to easier required the D r . Thomas s a i d on Wilson's arthroscopic seronegative rheumatoid D r . Thomas p r e s c r i b e d Naproxen and F l e x e r i l f o r He s a i d t h a t t h e F l e x e r i l was f o r W i l s o n ' s b a c k p a i n , Naproxen arthritis d i d "double duty" f o r the i n h i s j o i n t s as w e l l as f o r b a c k rheumatoid pain. From S e p t e m b e r 1995 u n t i l m i d - M a r c h 2003, W i l s o n as knee D r . Thomas s a i d , W i l s o n a l s o h a d p o l y a r t h r i t i s a t time. Wilson. active Nonetheless, surgery. that less 1 a truck driver f o r a Gadsden a u t o m o b i l e t h a t j o b , W i l s o n w o r k e d 40 h o u r s worked dealership. In a week, m a k i n g p i c k u p s a n d d e l i v e r i e s of vehicles to Atlanta, L i t t l e Rock, a n d C h i c a g o . W i l s o n a l s o w o r k e d as a t o u r - b u s d r i v e r f o r a company b a s e d i n B i r m i n g h a m a n d as a d r i v e r f o r " d i a l - a - r i d e . " D r . Thomas s a i d A f t e r r e t i r i n g f r o m G o o d y e a r , W i l s o n was t r e a t e d f o r n e c k p a i n a n d he h a d a knee r e p l a c e m e n t , i n a d d i t i o n t o r e c e i v i n g c o n t i n u e d treatment f o r h i s back p a i n . 1 4 2110645 t h a t p e o p l e c a n have f l a r e - u p s o f b a c k i s s u e s when t h e y drive for long periods. Dr. Thomas's n o t e s reflect f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1998 u n t i l August 12, 2003, July assessed spine disease with p r i o r t h a t he d i d n o t s e e W i l s o n 2003. Wilson strain." The o f f i c e notes with "degenerative from lumbar D r . Thomas t e s t i f i e d t h a t he w o r d e d t h e a s s e s s m e n t i n t h a t manner b e c a u s e he t h o u g h t , " a t t h a t t i m e , t h a t t h e d e g e n e r a t i v e component was t a k i n g o v e r as t h e p r e d o m i n a n t f a c t o r " as t h e c a u s e W i l s o n ' s lumbar s p i n e . of the discomfort i n X - r a y s t a k e n o f W i l s o n ' s b a c k i n 2004 i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e d e g e n e r a t i v e l u m b a r d i s e a s e h a d grown w o r s e s i n c e D r . Thomas b e g a n s e e i n g h i m i n 1987. Thomas p r e s c r i b e d L o r t a b f o r Wilson I n a d d i t i o n , Dr. t o use f o r e i t h e r h i s a r t h r i t i s o r t h e d e g e n e r a t i v e - b a c k - p a i n i s s u e s , " w h a t e v e r was b o t h e r i n g h i m more a t t h e t i m e . " In June 2007, D r . Thomas noted i n h i s assessment W i l s o n t h a t he was e x p e r i e n c i n g " m e c h a n i c a l b a c k p a i n . " Thomas e x p l a i n e d , " T h e r e ' s a k i n d of a r t h r i t i s i n which of Dr. people get i n f l a m m a t i o n o f t h e back c a l l e d a n k y l o s i n g s p o n d y l i t i s i n w h i c h one g e t s i n f l a m m a t i o n o f t h e b a c k , a n d m e c h a n i c a l refers to t h e o t h e r group o f c o n d i t i o n s , which would i n c l u d e trauma, 5 2110645 or s p r a i n , o r d e g e n e r a t i v e a r t h r i t i s . " Dr. Thomas's n o t e o f A u g u s t 2, 2010, i n d i c a t e s t h a t W i l s o n h a d o s t e o a r t h r i t i s i n his lumbar spine. Dr. Thomas was d e g e n e r a t i v e a r t h r i t i s On Wilson July before testified that o s t e o a r t h r i t i s that develops over 18, 2 0 1 1 , i n Dr. Thomas's h i s deposition, he last said time. assessment that Wilson experiencing worsening pain from degenerative a r t h r i t i s . Dr. was When Thomas was a s k e d w h e t h e r , on J u l y 26, 2 0 1 1 , t h e d a y o f Dr. Thomas's d e p o s i t i o n , Wilson's complaints o f back p a i n o r i g i n a t i n g not from the lumbar s t r a i n t h a t occurred but of from the degenerative a r t h r i t i s Thomas s a i d , " T h a t seems On c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n , between W i l s o n ' s a t t o r n e y were i n 1986 i n t h e l u m b a r s p i n e , Dr. likely." the f o l l o w i n g d i s c u s s i o n took place a n d Dr. Thomas. "Q. [By W i l s o n ' s a t t o r n e y ] : W o u l d i t be f a i r t h a t i t i s more p r o b a b l e t h a n n o t , t h a t means j u s t b a s i c a l l y i f you've g o t t h e s c a l e s o f j u s t i c e , i t t i l t s only a l i t t l e b i t , but that given the chronic nature of the problems a s s o c i a t e d w i t h the s t r a i n t h a t we saw t h r o u g h o u t t h e d e c a d e - - t h e r e m a i n i n g d e c a d e o f t h e '80s, t h e e n t i r e d e c a d e o f t h e '90s, and t h e symptom c o m p l e x as i t c o n t i n u e s t o d a y , t h a t the lumbar s t r a i n t h a t m a n i f e s t e d itself for a p e r i o d o f over a decade c o n t i n u e s t o p l a y , a t l e a s t t o some d e g r e e , a r o l e i n t h e symptoms t h a t a r e c o n f r o n t i n g Mr. W i l s o n t o d a y ? 6 2110645 "A. [By Dr. Thomas]: T h a t ' s h a r d t o a n s w e r . I t ' s been a l o n g t i m e . I w o u l d t h i n k most o f h i s symptoms now a r e f r o m d e g e n e r a t i v e a r t h r i t i s . "Q.: I understand that. Would i t be f a i r - - i n y o u r r e a s o n a b l e j u d g m e n t , w o u l d i t be f a i r t o s a y t h a t the lumbar s t r a i n i s a t l e a s t a c o n t r i b u t i n g f a c t o r t o some d e g r e e , a l t h o u g h i t may not be c e r t a i n l y the predominant f a c t o r , i s a c o n t r i b u t i n g f a c t o r t o h i s o n g o i n g and c o n t i n u i n g symptoms as t h e y have e x i s t e d o v e r t h e l a s t 20 y e a r s ? II "A.: I t ' s h a r d t o say i t ' s not c o n t r i b u t i n g t o some e x t e n t , b u t as I said, the predominant c o n t r i b u t o r w o u l d be d e g e n e r a t i v e a r t h r i t i s . "Q.: The p r e d o m i n a t e c o n t r i b u t o r w o u l d be t h e d e g e n e r a t i v e a r t h r i t i s , b u t c e r t a i n l y w o u l d i t be f a i r t o s a y t h a t a component o f c o n t r i b u t i o n s i s more l i k e l y - - g i v e n what we know a b o u t Mr. W i l s o n and g i v e n y o u r d o c u m e n t a t i o n , a component c o n t i n u e s t o be t h e l u m b a r s t r a i n ? II "A.: I t ' s j u s t - - a g a i n , I say i t ' s h a r d t o say. I t s o u n d s l i k e most o f i t i s d e g e n e r a t i v e a r t h r i t i s . W h e t h e r t h e r e ' s one p e r c e n t o r f i v e p e r c e n t o r z e r o p e r c e n t s t r a i n i s h a r d t o say. "Q.: W o u l d i t be r e a s o n a b l e t o e x p e c t t h a t t h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g more t h a n z e r o p e r c e n t t h a t ' s p a r t i c i p a t i n g or c o n t r i b u t i n g ? II "A.: I c a n ' t answer that." 7 2110645 When Wilson's attorney continued a b o u t w h e t h e r i t was p o s s i b l e t h a t t o press Dr. Thomas t h e lumbar s t r a i n Wilson experienced i n 1986 c o u l d have c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e d e g e n e r a t i v e arthritis, Dr. Thomas s a i d i t was " p o s s i b l e , " b u t he w o u l d n o t "go beyond possible." seronegative Wilson He d i d state, polyarthritis, had i n h i s j o i n t s however, or rheumatoid that the arthritis, that was n o t p l a y i n g a r o l e i n W i l s o n ' s back p a i n . Wilson t e s t i f i e d t h a t he h a s b a c k p a i n e v e r y d a y a n d t h a t when he was n o t b e i n g another doctor s e e n b y Dr. Thomas, he was b e i n g f o r back pain. treatment u n t i l J a n u a r y 2009. medical where W i l s o n the clinic, clinic closed, "Progressive prescriptions referred him Medical" filled. to f o r Wilson's I n 2009, G o o d y e a r c l o s e d i t s was to obtain Wilson Wilson paid received h i s medication. Wilson Liberty Progressive Medical. Goodyear seen by told a had "number" said that Mutual, he who to contact t o have h i s Progressive told When him Medical to call s a i d t h a t , a f t e r J a n u a r y 2009, he was n e v e r a b l e t o r e c e i v e a u t h o r i z a t i o n f r o m G o o d y e a r f o r h i s medications. 8 2110645 In lumbar i t s judgment, t h e t r i a l c o u r t f o u n d t h a t W i l s o n ' s 1986 strain t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e symptom "does complex r e q u i r i n g been accepted continue interventional care t h a t has historically b y G o o d y e a r a n d p r o v i d e d b y Dr. ... S p e c i f i c a l l y , the t r i a l Thomas." c o u r t found t h a t , a l t h o u g h t h e lumbar s t r a i n was n o t t h e s o l e c a u s e o f W i l s o n ' s b a c k p a i n , i t was a contributing Goodyear cause. Accordingly, the t r i a l to continue t o pay f o r the care court and W i l s o n needed t o t r e a t h i s ongoing back p a i n . medications Goodyear a postjudgment motion, which the t r i a l court denied. timely In bears ordered Goodyear appealed. t h e i r b r i e f s on a p p e a l , t h e p a r t i e s d i s a g r e e as t o who t h e b u r d e n o f p r o v i n g t h a t Thomas i s e n t i t l e d Goodyear pay f o r h i s c o n t i n u e d that, filed because condition Wilson treatment. i s seeking t h a t he s a y s was c a u s e d medical t o have Goodyear argues benefits for a by a w o r k - r e l a t e d injury, W i l s o n bears the burden of e s t a b l i s h i n g t h a t h i s c u r r e n t back pain i s related Wilson argues responsibility necessary t o t h e 1986 that, of injury. because paying f o r the treatment On Goodyear f o r the care the other hand, accepted the and of h i s back i n j u r y , 9 medications i t now bears 2110645 t h e b u r d e n o f p r o v i n g t h a t i t no l o n g e r has t o c o n t i n u e for Wilson's The in this medical Wilson's attorney asserted the burden of proof i n t h i s case. The Goodyear's a t t o r n e y whether there was like to state before we associated with this." start in of the witness was trial t h a t Goodyear trial bore court then asked "a p o s i t i o n regards to you would the burden Goodyear's a t t o r n e y responded w i t h statement regarding which p a r t y would c a l l a c e r t a i n That pay treatment. r e c o r d i n d i c a t e s t h a t , at the b e g i n n i n g case, to then called and the trial a witness. went forward w i t h o u t Goodyear making a s t a t e m e n t about w h i c h p a r t y bore the burden of p r o o f . In t h a t G o o d y e a r had it stated twice the trial court's the burden of proof in this a s s e r t t h a t the t r i a l to i t . motion, Wilson's c o u r t had Further, of Wilson's the day case; in fact, improperly at the h e a r i n g may attorney "And have closed to s h i f t e d the burden on t h e postjudgment the I t h i n k t h a t t h a t f r a n k l y at the tipped by In Goodyear f a i l e d a t t o r n e y a g a i n argued t h a t Goodyear bore burden of p r o o f , adding, end i t stated t h a t Goodyear bore the burden of p r o o f . Goodyear's p o s t j u d g m e n t m o t i o n , however, of proof judgment, the saying 10 scale he did in not this think case." that 2110645 G o o d y e a r had s u s t a i n e d i t s b u r d e n . The t o go o f f t h e r e c o r d , and t h e t r i a l was f u r t h e r being put us, we conclude on t h e that, record. during t r i a l court then asked ended w i t h o u t anything B a s e d on t h e r e c o r d the trial of this before case, p a r t i e s p r o c e e d e d as t h o u g h G o o d y e a r b o r e t h e b u r d e n o f and t h a t G o o d y e a r n e v e r made an a s s e r t i o n t o t h e the t r i a l the proof contrary court. "This c o u r t w i l l not h o l d a t r i a l court i n error 'unless t h a t c o u r t has b e e n a p p r i s e d o f i t s a l l e g e d e r r o r and has been g i v e n the o p p o r t u n i t y to a c t thereon.' Sea Calm S h i p p i n g v. 1990)." Cooks, Killough, to 565 So. 1 So. 2d 3d 212, 93, 101 216 (Ala. ( A l a . C i v . App. Greener 2008) . court t h a t Wilson bore burden of proof must a n a l y z e case, u s i n g the burden of proof we u s e d by the t r i a l the v. Because Goodyear never a r g u e d t o the t r i a l in this Co. the evidence court. O r d i n a r i l y , an e m p l o y e e must p r o v e , by a p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f the evidence, medical that treatment employment. the complaint f o r w h i c h he or a r o s e o u t o f and i n t h e c o u r s e Because Goodyear failed to she seeks of h i s or argue her otherwise, h o w e v e r , t h e p a r t i e s t r i e d t h i s c a s e i n a manner t h a t r e q u i r e d G o o d y e a r t o p r o v e , by a preponderance of the 11 evidence, that 2110645 t h e c o m p l a i n t s f o r w h i c h W i l s o n was s e e k i n g t r e a t m e n t from Thomas were n o t c a u s e d l u m b a r s t r a i n he s u f f e r e d by t h e 1986 d u r i n g h i s employment w i t h G o o d y e a r . to determine whether the trial T h e r e f o r e , our t a s k i s court's Wilson's current complaints of back p a i n related" to the f o r which responsibility 1986 is injury supported r e q u i r e d by § 2 5 - 5 - 8 1 ( e ) , by determination "continue[d] G o o d y e a r had substantial A l a . Code Dr. that to be accepted evidence, as 1975. S e c t i o n 2 5 - 5 - 8 1 ( e ) , A l a . Code 1975, p r o v i d e s t h e s t a n d a r d by w h i c h t h i s c o u r t r e v i e w s a p p e a l s i n c a s e s a r i s i n g u n d e r t h e Act. That s e c t i o n p r o v i d e s : "(e) R e v i e w . From an o r d e r o r j u d g m e n t , any a g g r i e v e d p a r t y may, w i t h i n 42 d a y s t h e r e a f t e r , a p p e a l t o t h e C o u r t o f C i v i l A p p e a l s and review s h a l l be as i n c a s e s r e v i e w e d as f o l l o w s : "(1) In r e v i e w i n g the s t a n d a r d of p r o o f s e t f o r t h h e r e i n and o t h e r legal issues, r e v i e w by the Court of Civil A p p e a l s s h a l l be w i t h o u t a p r e s u m p t i o n o f correctness. "(2) I n r e v i e w i n g p u r e f i n d i n g s f a c t , the f i n d i n g of the c i r c u i t co s h a l l n o t be r e v e r s e d i f t h a t f i n d i n g Discussing this Inc. v. W a l l a c e , standard, t h i s 912 So. c o u r t wrote i n Reeves Rubber, 2d 274, 12 279 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2005): 2110645 "When t h i s c o u r t r e v i e w s a t r i a l c o u r t ' s f a c t u a l f i n d i n g s i n a workers' compensation case, those f i n d i n g s w i l l n o t be r e v e r s e d i f t h e y a r e s u p p o r t e d by s u b s t a n t i a l e v i d e n c e . § 2 5 - 5 - 8 1 ( e ) ( 2 ) , A l a . Code 1975. S u b s t a n t i a l evidence i s 'evidence of such w e i g h t and q u a l i t y t h a t f a i r - m i n d e d p e r s o n s i n t h e e x e r c i s e o f i m p a r t i a l j u d g m e n t can r e a s o n a b l y i n f e r t h e e x i s t e n c e o f t h e f a c t s o u g h t t o be proved.' West v. F o u n d e r s L i f e A s s u r a n c e Co. o f F l o r i d a , 54 7 So. 2d 870, 871 ( A l a . 1 9 8 9 ) . Further, this court r e v i e w s t h e f a c t s ' i n t h e l i g h t most f a v o r a b l e t o the f i n d i n g s of the t r i a l c o u r t . ' W h i t s e t t v. BAMSI, I n c . , 652 So. 2d 287, 290 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1 9 9 4 ) , o v e r r u l e d on o t h e r g r o u n d s , Ex p a r t e T r i n i t y I n d u s . , I n c . , 680 So. 2d 262 ( A l a . 1996) . This court has a l s o concluded: 'The [1992 Workers' Compensation] A c t d i d not a l t e r the r u l e t h a t t h i s c o u r t does n o t w e i g h t h e e v i d e n c e b e f o r e t h e t r i a l court.' E d w a r d s v. J e s s e S t u t t s , I n c . , 655 So. 2d 1012, 1014 ( A l a . C i v . App. 1995) . However, o u r r e v i e w as t o p u r e l y l e g a l i s s u e s i s w i t h o u t a presumption of correctness. See Holy Family C a t h o l i c S c h o o l v. B o l e y , 847 So. 2d 371, 374 ( A l a . Civ. App. 2002) ( c i t i n g § 2 5 - 5 - 8 1 ( e ) ( 1 ) , A l a . Code 1975)." In i t s judgment, degenerative arthritis the trial i n the court found lumbar s p i n e that "clearly Wilson's plays a r o l e i n [ W i l s o n ' s ] symptom c o m p l e x . " The t r i a l c o u r t s t a t e d : "However, as Dr. Thomas c a n d i d l y a c k n o w l e d g e s i n h i s d e p o s i t i o n , i t w o u l d be d i f f i c u l t t o c o m p l e t e l y r u l e o u t t h e w o r k - r e l a t e d i n j u r y and t h e l u m b a r s p i n e as c o n t r i b u t i n g i n some measure t o t h e c o n d i t i o n g i v i n g r i s e t o [ W i l s o n ' s ] symptoms. T h i s c o n c e s s i o n by Dr. Thomas i s s i g n i f i c a n t g i v e n t h e b u r d e n t h a t r e s t s w i t h Goodyear i n t h i s case. I n f a c t , when p r e s e n t e d w i t h an o v e r v i e w o f t h e f a c t s o f t h i s c a s e , t h e d o c t o r a d m i t t e d t h a t i t was r e a s o n a b l e t o assume 13 2110645 t h a t some o f W i l s o n ' s symptoms r e l a t e d t o the accepted i n j u r y . " continue t o be (Emphasis added.) The evidence i n this case i n d i c a t e s t h a t D r . Thomas was r e l u c t a n t t o a t t r i b u t e a p o r t i o n o f Wilson's c u r r e n t back p a i n t o t h e 1986 l u m b a r s t r a i n . reasonable t o expect When a s k e d w h e t h e r i t w o u l d "be t h a t t h e r e i s something more t h a n zero p e r c e n t t h a t ' s p a r t i c i p a t i n g o r c o n t r i b u t i n g " t o Wilson's back p a i n , D r . Thomas s a i d , " I c a n ' t answer t h a t . " s t a t e d t h a t he b e l i e v e d i t " l i k e l y " D r . Thomas a l s o that Wilson's complaints o f b a c k p a i n o r i g i n a t e d , n o t f r o m t h e 1986 l u m b a r s t r a i n , b u t from the degenerative reasonable t o assume arthritis. When a s k e d t h a t some o f W i l s o n ' s w h e t h e r i t was back complaints were r e l a t e d t o t h e 1986 i n j u r y , Dr. Thomas s t a t e d , " [ A ] g a i n , I say i t ' s hard degenerative t o say. arthritis. I t sounds like most of i t is Whether t h e r e ' s one p e r c e n t o r f i v e percent or zero percent s t r a i n i s hard t o say." We conclude t h a t Dr. Thomas's e q u i v o c a l r e s p o n s e p r o v i d e s e v i d e n c e o n l y o f a mere p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t W i l s o n ' s t h e 1986 i n j u r y . c u r r e n t back p a i n r e l a t e s t o From t h e r e c o r d b e f o r e u s , a d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h a t Wilson's 2 5 - y e a r - o l d back s t r a i n i s a c o n t r i b u t i n g factor t o h i s c u r r e n t b a c k c o m p l a i n t s w o u l d be b a s e d on Dr. Thomas's 14 2110645 speculation the that, 1986 s t r a i n , result although those c o m p l a i n t s may be b a s e d on i t i s f a r more of Wilson's degenerative Goodyear t h a t t h e t r i a l strain i s t h e cause which Dr. Thomas that arthritis. they We are the agree with c o u r t ' s f i n d i n g t h a t t h e 1986 l u m b a r of Wilson's i s treating s u b s t a n t i a l evidence. likely c u r r e n t back condition for him supported i s not by A c c o r d i n g l y , we c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e t r i a l c o u r t ' s judgment i m p r o p e r l y r e q u i r e s Goodyear t o c o n t i n u e t o pay f o r t h e c a r e and m e d i c a t i o n W i l s o n i s r e c e i v i n g from Dr. Thomas a n d t o r e i m b u r s e W i l s o n f o r t h e o u t - o f - p o c k e t at i s s u e , which For total the reasons expenses $146.70. set forth a b o v e , we reverse the c o u r t ' s j u d g m e n t a n d remand t h e c a u s e t o t h e t r i a l trial court f o r the e n t r y o f a judgment c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h i s o p i n i o n . REVERSED AND REMANDED. P i t t m a n a n d Thomas, J J . , c o n c u r . Moore, J . , dissents, with joins. 15 writing, which Bryan, J., 2110645 MOORE, J u d g e , I of respectfully dissent the t r i a l the dissenting. reversal c o u r t ' s judgment because I c o n c l u d e t h a t , under p e c u l i a r p r o c e d u r a l p o s t u r e o f t h i s c a s e , Goodyear T i r e & R u b b e r Company of from t h e main o p i n i o n ' s ("the e m p l o y e r " ) d i d n o t d i s c h a r g e i t s b u r d e n proof. A l t h o u g h t h e l a w g e n e r a l l y r e q u i r e s an employee seeking m e d i c a l b e n e f i t s t o prove h i s o r h e r e n t i t l e m e n t t h e r e t o , see Ex p a r t e P u b l i x S u p e r M a r k e t s , I n c . , 963 So. 2d 654 ( A l a . C i v . App. 2 0 0 7 ) , t h e p a r t i e s t r i e d t h e c a s e on t h e t h e o r y t h a t t h e employer bore the burden treatment Marvin J . Wilson his of disproving that the current ("the employee") was r e c e i v i n g f o r b a c k c o n d i t i o n was u n r e l a t e d t o a c o m p e n s a b l e b a c k injury t h a t he s u s t a i n e d i n 1986. As s u c h , t h e e m p l o y e r h a d t o p r o v e by a p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e 1986 b a c k did not contribute even slightly t o t h e employee's back problems r e q u i r i n g m e d i c a l a t t e n t i o n . 636 Ex p a r t e injury current Valdez, So. 2d 401 ( A l a . 1 9 9 4 ) , on remand, 636 So. 2d 407 Civ. App. 1 9 9 4 ) . Before d e c l i n i n g the contribution o f t h e 1986 b a c k current back t o p l a c e a p e r c e n t a g e on injury p r o b l e m s , Dr. C o r n e l i u s 16 (Ala. t o t h e employee's Thomas testified that 2110645 "most o f [ t h e e m p l o y e e ' s ] arthritis" 1986 back and that strain symptoms now "it's are from d e g e n e r a t i v e h a r d t o say t h a t i s ] not c o n t r i b u t i n g p r o b l e m s ] t o some e x t e n t . " [the employee's [to the present back I f t h e employee b o r e t h e burden o f p r o v i n g m e d i c a l c a u s a t i o n , I b e l i e v e t h a t e v i d e n c e w o u l d have been s u f f i c i e n t t o d i s c h a r g e t h a t b u r d e n u n d e r o u r e s t a b l i s h e d precedent. See Compensation 1 § 7:19 Terry nn. A. 68-74 Moore, (West Alabama 1998). Workers' Given that, in t h i s u n u s u a l c a s e , t h e b u r d e n r e s t e d on t h e e m p l o y e r t o p r o v e t h a t t h e 1986 current i n j u r y was medical not c o n t r i b u t i n g problems, I must to the conclude employee's that the same t e s t i m o n y has t o be c o n s i d e r e d s u b s t a n t i a l e v i d e n c e s u p p o r t i n g a finding causation. that the employer Therefore, I would judgment. Bryan, J . , concurs. 17 did not affirm disprove the trial medical court's

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